Monday, 17 September 2012

Essence of Heroism

I've sat for hours looking at this notepad.Literally been looking at it as I listen to some music & still no spark of creativity at all.So the thought crosses my mind is it possible I have disintegrated my creative braincells (if ever I had any) or has my writing thus far been nothing more than a whim and a passing phase?In my cleverness I decide to write and write and rant until some semblance of brilliance or atleast some intellectual babble rears its head from the many words that will be written.
AHA!Superheroes.I think most if not all of us can remember a time when we thought we could fly,outrun a speeding bullet,move things with your mind,get angry turn green and obliterate everything in our path or thoughts along those lines.We grew up knowing superheroes where THE SHIT (we havent outgrown it Thank God!)Everything from He-Man to Dark Knight Rises (most epic movie of our time thus far).I mean think of those cartoons that showed us how good triumphs over evil and all such lessons they taught us.I mean we have classic superheroes,Superman,Batman,Wolverine,Spiderman,Electra,Ultraviolet,Flash,Green Lantern the list is endless.But we also have the not so common or they are not considered in the conventional way as superheroes per say but if they had some power they were a super hero to a kind some place in the world.Think of Luke Skywalker,Spack,The Phantom,Transfomers and so on.
Like who remembers the Care Bears and the whole Light Vs. Darkness concept (which I only realise now since it was just cool they had things shooting out of their stomachs back in the day) or Mario and Luiggi (yap I said it) always saving the Princess and the Kingdom (although in retrospect the concept of eating mushrooms makes me wonder now).But you get my point these guy ARE cool (yes even now) and we had these aspirations in our fantasy worlds to be strong,powerful and beat up the bad guy/s.Those toons taught us alot,whether we consciously knew it or not.They put certain aspects of heroism in us.
Respect to the people who run into burning builds,jump infront of bullets,throw themselves into the ocean in order to save another person.Those acts of valor are outstanding and make these people heroes.But Id like to talk about the unsung or rather the kind of people we dont realise as well as they themselves dont think themselves as heroes.They possess what I think is the essence of heroism.Not the typical aspects of bravery,strength or a superpower (although that would be pretty awesome to have) but genuine human deceny,understanding,kindness and compassion.Dont get it twisted its still amazing how we put our own lives on the line to save another person from near death or griveous harm even when they are strangers.Acts of valor and heroism occur all around us,all the time.
For instance something as simple as a person who takes off their jumper/sweater/jacket/coat and gives it to another when it could be cold or raining saying that,"Im all good" when reality they could be freezing and soaked to the bone.
The person at the shop or market that gives you that lil bit extra or lets you take things on loan when your broke.
The people or friends (RE2,3) who when you talk at 2am and you mention you haven't eaten,get angry and almost want to kill you.Then after insulting you for a bit do their best and find a way to get you a meal.
The randon stranger who give you back your things after you've lost them or dropped them in a mat.And actually waited for you for two hours (yes it even happens in Nairobi it was a shocker to me too) just to give you back your phone and wallet with eveything intact and also refuse to take anyother kind of gratitude apart from a simple thank you.
To those we treat as punching bags and or venting outlets when we are having it bad but they stick it out woth us.
Those who see the quirky,weird,retarded aspects of us and still stick around.
To those seen as heroes in the eyes of their children and people around them.They have like a 50 hour work week work two jobs and still have time for the people around them.
To those who listen or ask how you are and how has your day gone and they actually hear you out.
To those who help you out with things so you wont have to worry about them later.
To those who are first in cleaning up your mess (even though they probably telling you I told you so).
Even those who remember you dont take chilly in your fodd and make sure your food wont have any.
We all have these people in our lives and we are also these people in other peoples lives.Granted they may not be typical heroes we are accustomed to but we could not be heroes if not for the compassion,understanding,decency and kindness that we choose to follow and act on and to those who choose this path and live by them
I SALUTE YOU

Jah Bless

1 comment:

  1. Everyone can be a hero, its not as hard as it seems. Great piece.

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